Course:FNH200/Assignments/2022/Coke DietCoke

Introduction

Regular Coke Vs. Diet Coke

Coca-Cola which is also known as "coke" is one of the most widely known and consumed carbonated soft drinks. However, since the introduction of Diet Coke in 1982, the popularity of the alternative drink that is targeted for those who are more health conscious has been growing steadily.^[1] This webpage explores the differences of regular Coke and Diet Coke in terms of displayed ingredients, chemical compounds, and furthermore the roles of these that make Diet Coke different from regular Coke and other popular carbonated soft drinks.

Ingredient Lists

Diet Coke Ingredients List

Regular Coke Ingredients List

Regular Coke Nutrition Facts Label

Diet Coke Nutrition Facts Label

Ingredients List
Regular Coke	Diet Coke
Carbonated water	Carbonated water
Sucrose	Caramel colour
Caramel colour	Phosphoric acid
Phosphoric acid	Citric acid
Natural flavour	Aspartame (contains phenylalanine)
Caffeine	Natural flavour
	Sodium benzoate
	Caffeine
	Acesulfame-potassium

**Fat Substitutes, Sugar Substitutes, and Additives**
	Regular Coke	Diet Coke
Fat Substitutes	None	None
Sugar Substitutes	None	Aspartame Acesulfame-potassium
Additives	Caramel colour Phosphoric acid	Caramel colour Citric acid Phosphoric acid Sodium benzoate

Role of Fat Substitutes, Sugar Substitutes, and Additives
Substitutes/Additives	Role
Aspartame	Low-calorie sweetener 180-220 times sweeter than sucrose, so small amounts can be used for the same taste as sugar Does not increase blood glucose or insulin levels Diet Coke uses Aspartame as a healthier sugar alternative based on the above points Sweeteners may be preferred/required for people with diabetes, concerned with high caloric intake, or trying to reduce the risk of tooth decay^[2]
Acesulfame-potassium	Non-caloric sweetener Provides a synergistic sweetening effect when combined with other sweeteners (in the case of Diet Coke: Aspartame) High degree of stability over a range of PH and temperature storage conditions 200 times sweeter than sucrose Not metabolized by body → 0 cal/g Not fermented by oral bacteria → does not contribute to cavities Diet Coke uses Acesulfame-potassium as a healthier sugar substitute based on the above points Sweeteners may be preferred/required for people with diabetes, concerned with high caloric intake, or trying to reduce the risk of tooth decay^[2]
Caramel colour	Used to provide regular Coke and Diet Coke with its dark brown colour^[3]
Citric acid	Used to give Coke a sour taste Reacts with bicarbonate of soda to form carbon dioxide gas, which is what makes sodas fizzy^[4]
Phosphoric acid	Added to soda drinks for a sharper taste Also slows bacteria and mould growth that would multiply quickly in sugary mixture^[5]
Sodium benzoate	Increase acidity flavour Acts as a preservative to extend shelf life^[6]

Comparing: Regular Coke vs. Diet Coke
In Both	Only Regular Coke	Only Diet Coke
Carbonated water	Sucrose	Citric acid
Caramel colour		Aspartame
Phosphoric acid		Sodium benzoate
Natural flavour		Acesulfame-potassium
Caffeine

Common Ingredients

The common ingredients between regular Coke and Diet Coke are carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, natural flavour, and caffeine. Carbonated water, caramel colour, natural flavour, and caffeine are the essential ingredients that form the consistency and taste of Coke. Caramel colour and phosphoric acid are additives that are discussed in the previous table. The ingredients that differentiate between the two versions of Coke are discussed below.

Only Regular Coke

Regular Coke uses sucrose as its primary source of sweet flavouring.

Only Diet Coke

Diet Coke uses citric acid, which as earlier mentioned gives Coke a sour taste and helps made the beverage more fizzy.^[4] As sugar substitutes, Diet Coke uses Aspartame and acesulfame-potassium. Aspartame is a low calorie sweetener, while acesulfame-potassisum is a non-caloric sweetener.^[2] These are used in Diet Coke, rather than the sucrose in regular Coke, because they are healthier. They are especially better for people with diabetes or those concerned with caloric intake or cavities.^[2] Lastly, Diet Coke has sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate is added to increase the acidic flavour of Diet Coke and to prolong the shelf life.^[6]

Labels

The following table shows the detailed information on the labels:

Requirements	Regular Coke	Diet Coke
Name of product	Coca Cola	Diet Coke
Bilingual labelling	English and French	English and French
Nutrition facts tables	Calories -150 Fat- 0g Sodium - 30mg sugars-41g Potassium - 10mg Carbohydrate - 41g Proteins - 0g	Calories - 0 Fats - 0 Sodium - 40mg Carbohydrate - 0g Sugars - 0g Protein - 0.1g
Country of origin	Canada	Canada
Quantity of coke	375ml/bottle	355mL/can
Date making and storage instruction	Best before date	Not shown
Principal place of business	Toronto, Ontario	Bottled in Toronto, Ontario
List of ingredients	Carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, caffeine and natural flavour	Carbonated water, caramel colour, aspartame, natural flavours, phosphoric and citric acid, sodium benzoate (to protect taste), caffeine, acesulfame-potassium
Legibility and location	All of the information is easy to read and legible	All of the information is easy to read and legible
Sweeteners	Sucrose	Aspartame, acesulfame-potassium
Irradiated Foods	Not an irradiated food	Not an irradiated food
Nutrient content claims	Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, fiber, calcium or iron	Phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine Caffeine content: 46mg/12fl oz Low sodium, 140mg or less per 355mL Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium or iron

Regular Coke and Diet Coke: According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of Canada^[7], the labels of regular coke and diet coke comply with the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations of Canada as they include the common name of the product, bilingual labelling (French and English), the name and principal place of business, nutrition facts tables, country of origin (Canada), net quantity of coke, date markings and storage instructions, list of ingredients, proper legibility and location of information pertaining to the product, sweeteners, and nutrient content claims.

Aspartame, the low calorie sugar substitute used for Diet Coke, has been approved by Health Canada since 1981^[8]. It should be noted that the exact amount of aspartame is found on the ingredients list quantified in milligrams and that the ingredients list states "contains phenylalanine" which is in line with the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations of Canada^[9].

References

↑ "Diet Coke". National Museum of American History. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 "Types of Sugar Substitutes - Sweeteners". UBC Wiki - FNH200. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ Watson, Chris (August 11, 2021). "Why is Coca Cola Brown? [Was it GREEN..]". Soda Pop Craft. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 "It's a Gas!". Science on the Shelves. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ "Is Phosphoric Acid Bad for Me?". Healthline. February 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 "What to Know About Sodium Benzoate". Nourish by WebMD. April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
↑ Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "Food labelling for Industry". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/22. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
↑ "The Safety of Sugar Substitutes". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/2022. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
↑ Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "Labelling requirements for sweeteners and foods that contain sweeteners". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/2022. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

[1] "Diet Coke". National Museum of American History. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[:0-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 ^2.3 "Types of Sugar Substitutes - Sweeteners". UBC Wiki - FNH200. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[3] Watson, Chris (August 11, 2021). "Why is Coca Cola Brown? [Was it GREEN..]". Soda Pop Craft. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[:1-4] 4.0 ^4.1 "It's a Gas!". Science on the Shelves. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[5] "Is Phosphoric Acid Bad for Me?". Healthline. February 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[:2-6] 6.0 ^6.1 "What to Know About Sodium Benzoate". Nourish by WebMD. April 12, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2022.

[7] Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "Food labelling for Industry". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/22. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

[8] "The Safety of Sugar Substitutes". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/2022. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

[9] Canadian Food Inspection Agency. "Labelling requirements for sweeteners and foods that contain sweeteners". Government of Canada. Retrieved 07/19/2022. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

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